JP2000140375A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the display control device side to immediately deal with an abnormality by executing a process against abnormality in relation to a discrimination information display on a display area where a transmission time interval of pattern relating instruction signals is not exist within a set range. SOLUTION: A display device can detect generation of an abnormality in transmission of pattern relating instruction signals and immediately deal with the abnormality. In the abnormality dealing to make a pattern in which the abnormality is generated is made into a mode that the pattern is not visibly recognized by a player (for instance B, C) or to switch the pattern display to a screen to inform a player of generation of abnormality (for instance D, E) are executed. Consequently the condition the pattern display is kept at the ordinary display and continued is quickly avoided at the display device side and the player is prevented from mis-understanding the condition of game progress based on the mis-display and the game can be continued without interruption.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to an improvement in transmission of a command signal from a game control device to a display control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine such as a pachinko machine, the interest of the game is enhanced by variably displaying identification information on a variable display device provided in the game machine. Such a variable display device is controlled by a display control device, and the display control by the display control device is performed based on a command signal from a game control device that controls the game as a whole.

For example, a variable display device has a plurality (for example, 3
Are provided, and symbols consisting of numerals are displayed as identification information in these display areas, and each of these symbols fluctuates by scrolling and rotating. A command signal from the game control device indicates a symbol number (displayed number) and a symbol position (scroll position) of the symbol, and the display control device performs symbol display according to the instruction.

However, if the command signal for specifying the identification information display for each display screen is transmitted as described above, the absolute amount of the transmitted command signal becomes enormous, and the Since it is difficult to visually confirm the display, the burden on the inspection and development of the game machine becomes excessive. In particular, in recent years, the display on the variable display device has been complicated, for example, the display area of the variable display device has been increased to more than three. Therefore, the absolute amount of the command signal can be reduced, and the burden on inspection and development can be reduced. Especially necessary.

Accordingly, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-29 filed by the present applicant has been proposed.
In Japanese Patent No. 1947, a command signal from the game control device is assumed to instruct a change in the change mode of the identification information (for example, a change in the speed of scroll change), and such a command signal is transmitted at the timing of the change in the change mode. A gaming machine has been proposed.

FIG. 18 shows this Japanese Patent Application No. 10-291947.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing transmission of a symbol-related command signal (a command signal relating to a symbol display which is identification information display) from the game control device to the display control device in the gaming machine of No. 7;

As shown in the figure, the symbol-related command signal is:
It is composed of three pieces of transmission data of symbol selection data, operation selection data, and symbol number data each consisting of 1-byte data. Then, these three transmission data are sequentially transmitted in synchronization with the strobe signal, following the communication interrupt request data signal transmitted at each timing of the change of the symbol variation mode. Further, while no command signal is transmitted, data-less information is transmitted. In addition, such a symbol-related command signal is a separate command signal (left symbol-related command signal, right symbol-related command signal, medium symbol) for each symbol (left symbol, right symbol, middle symbol) displayed in each display area. (Related command signal). The transmission of the symbol related command signal is one unit (1 unit) of the game control in the game control device.
(Sequence).
At a minimum, transmission is performed at intervals of one unit of game control (2 milliseconds).

As described above, in this gaming machine, the transmission of the symbol-related command signal is transmitted at the timing of the change of the symbol variation mode, so that the absolute amount of transmission of the symbol-related command signal can be significantly reduced. This makes it easier to visually confirm the relationship between the symbol-related command signal and the display. In addition, the symbol-related command signal is separate for each symbol in each display area and only includes data indicating a change in the variation of the symbol, so that it can be a simple signal having a short data length. Therefore, according to this gaming machine, the burden on the inspection and development of the gaming machine can be reduced.

[0009]

However, when the symbol-related command signal is used to indicate a change in the symbol variation mode as in this gaming machine, an erroneous symbol-related command signal is affected by noise or the like. Is input to the display controller,
Since the display is performed subsequent to the switching of the symbol variation mode according to the erroneous symbol-related command signal, there is no opportunity to correct the display error. Therefore, as a result of the erroneous display being continued, the player may misunderstand the progress of the game by believing the erroneous display. Such an abnormality of the symbol-related command signal is particularly problematic in a gaming machine that uses a large number of metal gaming balls, such as a pachinko machine, and is likely to generate noise due to static electricity charged in these gaming balls. Become.

In this case, if a confirmation signal for signal transmission is sent from the display control device to the game control device, an erroneous symbol-related command signal input can be found, but this causes a delay in finding the error. And in actual gaming machines,
In general, a signal is not transmitted from the display control device to the game control device for ease of inspection and effective prevention of cheating.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. Even when an abnormality occurs in transmission of a symbol-related command signal (identification information-related command signal) due to the influence of noise or the like, the display control device is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of detecting this abnormality on the side and taking immediate action.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control device for integrally controlling a game, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and the game control device. A display control device that controls display on the variable display device based on a command signal from the communication device, a communication unit that allows only one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device, and a variation mode of the identification information. Signal selection means for selecting a separate identification information-related command signal for each display area as a command signal for instructing a change; and displaying the identification information-related command signal selected by the signal selection means on a corresponding display of the variable display device. A timing adjusting means for transmitting to the communication means at a timing of a change in a variation mode of the identification information in the area, the identification information for each display area. Time measuring means for measuring a transmission time interval of the related command signal to the display control device, and whether the transmission time interval measured by the time measuring means is within a set time range stored in advance for each display area. Determining means for determining whether or not the display time period in which the symbol-related command signal transmission time interval is not within the set time range is determined by the determining means to be an abnormal condition related to identification information display, and an abnormality handling process is performed. Abnormality handling means to be executed.

[0013] In the second invention, the abnormality handling means is means for making identification information of a display area in which an abnormal state relating to identification information display has occurred in a state in which the player cannot identify it.

[0014] In the third invention, the abnormality handling means is a means for performing a display for obscuring the identification information of a display area in which an abnormal state relating to the identification information display has occurred.

[0015] In the fourth invention, the abnormality handling means is means for changing the identification information of the display area in which the abnormal state related to the identification information display has occurred at a speed that cannot be identified by the player.

In the fifth invention, the abnormality handling means is means for displaying, on the variable display device, a display for notifying a player that an abnormal state related to identification information display has occurred.

In the sixth invention, the abnormality handling means is configured to execute the abnormality handling process upon receipt of an identification information related command signal instructing stop display of identification information in a display area in which an abnormal state relating to identification information display has occurred. To end,
The identification information related command signal for instructing the stop display of the identification information includes an instruction on the identification information to be stopped and displayed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control device for controlling a game as a whole, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and a command signal from the game control device. A display control device for controlling display on the variable display device, a communication means for permitting only one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device, and a command signal for instructing a change in a variation mode of the identification information. Signal selection means capable of selecting a separate identification information-related command signal for each of the display areas, and changing the identification information-related command signal selected by the signal selection means in the corresponding display area of the variable display device. In a gaming machine comprising: timing adjustment means for transmitting the communication means at the timing of the change of the aspect, in the display control device,
Receiving means for performing a plurality of receptions on data that should have the same content of the identification information-related command signal transmitted by the communication means; and data indicating the same value among the data having the same content received by the receiving means. Signal data determination means for accepting the same value as normal data when there are a predetermined number or more.

In the eighth invention, the signal data judging means accepts the same value as regular data when data indicating the same value exceeds the majority of the total number of received data having the same contents. .

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the identification information related command signal selected by the signal selection means and transmitted from the game control device to the display control device is converted by the timing adjustment means into the identification information of each identification information in the variable display device. The transmission time interval of the identification information-related command signal is transmitted at a time when the variation mode changes. You. Accordingly, when there is a failure such as noise in transmission of the identification information related command signal and the display control device erroneously receives the data content of the identification information related command signal, the transmission time interval may be out of the set time range. In addition, the display control device can determine the occurrence of an abnormal state regarding the display of identification information. Therefore, the detection of the occurrence of the abnormal state related to the identification information display is promptly performed on the display control device side even though the transmission of the confirmation signal from the display control device to the game control device by the communication means is not allowed,
The abnormality handling process can be immediately performed. Therefore, the player does not misunderstand the progress of the game based on the erroneous display, and can continue the game without interruption. Detection of occurrence of an abnormal state related to the display of the identification information (measurement and determination of transmission time interval)
Is performed for each display area, the abnormality handling process may be performed only in the display area where the abnormality has occurred, and the display of the other display areas can be continued as it is, so that the interest of the game does not deteriorate.

In the second invention, in the abnormality handling process,
Since the identification information of the display area in which the abnormal state relating to the identification information display has occurred cannot be identified by the player, the player does not misunderstand the progress of the game based on the erroneous display, and Can be continued without interruption.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the display for covering the identification information of the display area in which the abnormal state has occurred is made, the player does not misunderstand the progress of the game based on the erroneous display, and The normal display of the other identification information display is continued as it is, so that the player can continue the game without feeling great discomfort.

In the fourth aspect, the identification information of the display area in which the abnormal state has occurred is changed at a speed that cannot be identified by the player, so that the player misunderstands the progress of the game based on the erroneous display. In addition, since the fluctuation at a speed that cannot be identified by the player is one aspect of the normal display, the player can continue the game without recognizing that an abnormality has occurred in the symbol display.

In the fifth invention, in the abnormality handling process,
The variable display device provides a display for notifying the player that an abnormal condition related to the identification information display has occurred, so that the player can recognize that the displayed identification information is not regular. The game can be continued without misunderstanding the progress of the game.

In the sixth invention, the cancellation of the abnormality handling process is performed by:
This is triggered by an identification information-related command signal for instructing stop display of the identification information, and the identification information-related command signal includes an instruction on the identification information to be stopped and displayed. Is restored to the normal normal display. Therefore, the time required for the display by the abnormality handling process can be minimized, and finally, a correct game result can be notified to the player without interrupting the game.

In the seventh invention, a plurality of identification information-related command signals are received for data having the same content, and only when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of data having the same content have the same value. Since the same value is accepted as a regular data value, even if there is an obstacle such as noise in the transmission of the identification information related command signal due to noise or the like and a part of the signal becomes erroneous, the display control device is not affected. The probability of accepting regular data values is significantly increased.

In the eighth aspect, the determination by the signal data determination means is performed based on a majority of the total number of received data having the same contents (an integer larger than 1/2 of the total number of data). Regardless of the total number, a reasonable criterion can be easily set.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board 1 of a ball game machine (pachinko game machine).

On the surface of the game board 1, a portion surrounded by the guide rail 2 becomes a game area 3. A variable display device (special symbol display device) 4 for displaying an image corresponding to the progress of the game is provided substantially at the center of the game area 3. The display screen portion of the variable display device 4 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (CRT), and the like (the LCD is used in the present embodiment). The image display of the variable display device 4 is controlled by the display control device 40 (see FIG. 2).

Below the variable display device 4, a special variable winning device (large winning opening) 5 is provided. Immediately above the special variable winning device 5, a starting port 7 having an electric gate (ordinary variable winning device) 6 is provided, and a special symbol starting switch 30 (FIG. 2) for detecting a winning ball is provided in the starting port 7. Reference) is provided. The winning timing of the game ball to the starting port 7 is
This is stored in the game control device 20 (see FIG. 2) as a prize memory, and the number of the prize memories is displayed on the special symbol storage display 8 on the upper part of the variable display device 4. The game control device 20 performs a lottery for a jackpot based on the winning memory.

Each time this jackpot is selected, the image display of the variable display device 4 is changed to a variable state. Specifically, the identification information (special symbol) displayed in each of a plurality of display areas (for example, three display areas) on the display screen is changed (for example, scrolled). Then, when the game becomes a big hit state by lottery, the changed identification information stops in a predetermined combination, and the special variable winning device 5 does not accept the ball for a predetermined period in a closed state (a state disadvantageous to the player). Is converted into an open state (a state advantageous to the player) in which the ball can be easily received, and the player is provided with a greater chance of acquiring a prize ball.

A count switch 3 for counting the number of winning balls to the special variable winning device 5 is provided in the special variable winning device 5.
1 (see FIG. 2) and a continuous switch 32 for detecting a winning ball to a continuous winning opening provided in the special variable winning device 5.
(See FIG. 2).

The above open state is determined by the count switch 3
1 or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of prizes or a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30)
Second) as one unit (one round). The round is repeated up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, 16 rounds) as long as there is a predetermined number of winnings in the special variable winning device 5 in each round and there is a winning in the continuous winning opening detected by the continuous switch 32. It is supposed to be.

At the base of the starting port 7, an ordinary symbol display 10 for displaying an ordinary symbol, for example, a one-digit number, is provided. Then, based on the passage of the game ball to the passage 11 provided in the game area (normal symbol start memory), which is detected by the ordinary symbol start switch (ordinary symbol start sensor) 33 (see FIG. 2), the ordinary symbol is stored. A random display on the display 10 and a lottery on a normal symbol in the game control device 20 are performed. When the lottery for the ordinary symbol is won, the ordinary symbol indicator 10 stops at a predetermined winning symbol, and the electric gate 6 of the starting port 7 is opened. In addition,
The normal symbol start memory indicating the timing at which the game ball has passed through the passage opening 11 is stored in the game control device 20, and the number of the storage is determined by the normal symbol memory display 1 around the normal symbol display 8.
2 is displayed.

In the game area 3, in addition to the above-described structure, general winning ports 13, 14, a game ball rolling guide member (windmill) 1
5. Decorative lamps 71 (see FIG. 2) including the side lamps 16 are provided. The side lamp 16
Also serves as an abnormality notification lamp, and notifies the occurrence of an abnormality such as fraud by changing the blinking pattern. In addition, most of the game nails arranged in the game area 3 and a plurality of decorative LEDs
72 (see FIG. 2) is omitted from the illustration.

At the lower part of the gaming machine, an operation unit of a hit ball launching device (not shown) is provided, and by this operation, game balls (pachinko balls) are launched one by one into a game area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system centered on the game control device 20 of the ball game machine.

As shown, the game control device 20
Arithmetic processing unit 2 with built-in ROM 21A and RAM 21B
1, an input interface 22, an output interface 23, an oscillator 24, a reset signal generation circuit 25, and the like.

The arithmetic processing unit 21 includes a special symbol start switch (special symbol start sensor) 30 for the start port 7 and a count switch (count sensor) 3 in the special variable winning device 5.
1 and continuation switch (continuation sensor) 32, passage port 11
Normal symbol start gate switch (Normal symbol start sensor)
33, a signal from the safe sensor 34 is input. Here, the safe sensor 34 means that the game balls (winning balls) that have won each of the winning devices (the special variable winning device 5, the starting port 7, the general winning ports 13, 14) are collected in a safe unit (not shown). Is a sensor that detects this winning ball when

Based on these detection signals, the arithmetic processing unit 21 uses a program (game program) stored in the ROM 21A in units of a predetermined sequence.
Performs overall control (game control) of the game in the ball game machine.

More specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 21 executes a jackpot lottery (determination based on the above-mentioned winning memory, whether or not a game ball has entered the starting opening 7 at the timing of the jackpot) and a display control unit 40. Control of the variable display device 4 by transmitting command signals (symbol-related command signals, background-related command signals, and character-related command signals) to the display, a normal symbol display 10, a special symbol storage display 8, a normal symbol storage display 12
, The solenoid for driving the special variable winning device 5 (the special variable winning device solenoid) 35 and the starting port 7
Special variable winning device 5 by transmitting a control signal to a solenoid (ordinary variable winning device solenoid) 36 for driving the electric gate 6, opening and closing control of the electric gate 6, decorative lamp 7
1. Control of blinking operation of decoration LED 72, sound control device 50
51 by transmitting a command signal (sound command information) to the speaker 51
The control of the sound output from the ball output device and the control of the discharge of the prize ball and the lending ball from the ball discharge device 61 by transmitting the prize ball command information to the ball discharge control device 60 are performed. Note that the various control signals from the arithmetic processing unit 21 are output to a port of the output interface 23 and are converted into a communication format.
It is transmitted to various control devices.

The reset signal generation circuit 25 includes the oscillation circuit 2
4 clock pulse is divided into a predetermined period (for example, 2 m
sec), a reset interrupt signal is generated, and the arithmetic processing unit 2
1 is input to the reset terminal. The arithmetic processing unit 21 executes the game program from a predetermined address every time the reset interrupt signal is input. The processing of one sequence of the game control described above is configured to be within the interrupt time (signal cycle) of the reset interrupt signal. In addition,
The reset of the arithmetic processing unit 21
You can also call it soft within.

The game control device 20 is connected to a hall computer (central management device) 70 of a game store, and receives a jackpot signal when a jackpot occurs, a probability variation signal indicating transition to a probability variation state, and a variable display device 4. A symbol stop signal indicating a symbol stop, an abnormal signal, and the like are transmitted to the hall computer 80.

FIG. 3 is a table showing the data contents of the symbol related command signal (identification information related command signal) transmitted from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40.

The symbol-related command signal is composed of, for example, 3-byte data, and includes symbol selection data, operation selection data, and symbol number data, each of which is composed of 1-byte data as shown in the figure.

The symbol selection data is a code indicating which of the three display areas (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) of the variable display device 4 the left, middle and right symbol-related command signals are. , 01H if command signal for left symbol
Is 02H if the command signal is for the right symbol, and 03H if the command signal is for the middle symbol. That is, the symbol-related command signal is a left symbol-related command signal, a right symbol-related command signal, and a medium symbol-related command signal each having a 3-byte configuration according to whether the symbol selection data is 01H, 02H, or 03H. The left symbol-related command signal, the right symbol-related command signal, and the middle symbol-related command signal are transmitted on the same signal line and are output at different timings.

The symbol number data is a code for determining which symbol number is to be displayed, and a hexadecimal number corresponding to the hexadecimal data of the symbol number data is displayed on the variable display device 4 as an image.

The operation selection data is a code for instructing selection (change) of the operation content of the symbol in the image display. Specifically, 01H indicates the variation mode of the symbol display as “stop operation”.
And 02H indicates a replacement operation for replacing the displayed symbol with the symbol indicated by the symbol number data.
3H is a change that changes the symbol display variation mode to “low-speed variation”, 04H is a change that changes the symbol display variation mode to “medium-speed variation,” and 05H is a change that changes the symbol display variation mode is “high-speed variation.” 06H indicates a change that changes the symbol display variation mode to “swinging operation”, 07H indicates a change that changes the symbol display variation mode to “rotational operation,” and 08H indicates a change mode that changes the symbol display. Each change is indicated by "stop".

Here, the "low speed fluctuation", "medium speed fluctuation", and "high speed fluctuation" are all operations in which symbols are displayed one after another on the screen of the variable display device 4 while scrolling symbols in the vertical direction. is there. In "low speed fluctuation", a slow scroll fluctuation of, for example, about 800 milliseconds per symbol is performed. In "medium speed fluctuation", a scroll fluctuation of a medium speed of, for example, about 64 milliseconds per symbol is displayed. In the "fluctuation", scroll fluctuations at a high speed such that the symbol number cannot be identified to the player are respectively displayed. Also,
The “swaying motion” is a motion in which the symbol slightly shakes in the vertical direction (the player often recognizes that the symbol is stopped). In addition, the “rotation operation” is an operation in which a symbol looks as if it is rotating around a vertical central axis.

As a command signal from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40, in addition to such a symbol-related command signal, a background-related command signal and a character-related command signal are transmitted.

4 to 6 show the game control device 2 respectively.
6 is a timing chart showing an example of a transmission form of a symbol-related command signal from 0 to the display control device 40. The transmission of the symbol-related command signal may be performed as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 18, but by using the transmission forms shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, it is possible to improve the reliability of the transmission. Can be.

In the transmission form shown in the timing chart of FIG. 4, the symbol selection data, the operation selection data, and the symbol number data of each one byte constituting the symbol-related command signal are sequentially transmitted in synchronization with the strobe signal. In this case, each transmission data transmitted to the display control device 40 has the same data content for a predetermined period, and the display control device 4
0 is configured to read the contents of the data to be held in the same contents three times at predetermined time intervals. That is, in the display control device 40, in the transmission of the symbol selection data, the symbol selection data which should have the same content is sequentially read as A1, A2, A3, and in the transmission of the operation selection data, the operation selection which should have the same content. The data B1, B2, and B3 are sequentially read, and in the subsequent transmission of the symbol number data, the symbol number data C1, C2, and C3 that should have the same content are sequentially read.

The display controller 40 that has received such transmission (read the transmission data) transmits (separately reads) each of the symbol selection data, the operation selection data, and the symbol number data. The three data values are compared, and a majority (an integer larger than 1/2 of the total number) of a total of three pieces of data to be transmitted having the same content is transmitted.
If two or more data values are the same, the data is accepted as correct data. Accordingly, even when data is destroyed due to noise or the like acting on the symbol-related command signal, the probability that the display control device 40 can receive transmission data of a correct value is increased.

On the other hand, when there are no two or more data having the same value, the display control device 40 determines that an abnormality has occurred in command transmission. Therefore, occurrence of an abnormality in command transmission is immediately determined in the display control device 40.

In the transmission form shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5, three types of transmission data (symbol selection data, operation selection data, and symbol number data) are sequentially transmitted in synchronization with the strobe signal. , The transmission of data that should have the same content (data of the same content) is repeated three times. That is, following the sequential transmission of the symbol selection data A1, the operation selection data B1, and the symbol number data C1, the symbol selection data A2, the operation selection data B2, and the symbol number data C2 are sequentially transmitted, and further, the symbol selection data A3, the operation selection Data B3 and symbol number data C3 are sequentially transmitted.

The display control device 40 receives the design selection data, the operation selection data, and the design number data transmitted in this manner, and sets three data (for example, the design selection data A1 and the design selection data A1) which should have the same contents. Selection data A
The three data of 2 and the symbol selection data A3 should be the same data unless destroyed by noise or the like. The same applies to the operation selection data B1, B2, B3 and the symbol number data C1, C2, C3. ), The same processing as in the transmission mode of FIG. 4 is performed.

In the transmission form shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6, three signal lines are provided between the game control device 20 and the display control device 40, and the same content should be provided through these signal lines. The symbol related command signals P, Q, R (of the same contents) are transmitted by parallel communication. That is, while being synchronized with the strobe signal, the first signal line uses the symbol selection data A1, the operation selection data B1, and the symbol number data C1.
Are sequentially transmitted, the symbol selection data A2, the operation selection data B2, and the symbol number data C2 are sequentially transmitted on the second signal line, and the symbol selection data A3,
The operation selection data B3 and the symbol number data C3 are sequentially transmitted. The transmitted three data are shown in FIGS.
As in the case of the transmission mode, the display control device 40 receives the data having the same content and processes the data in the same manner.

Although the total number of transmission data that should have the same content is set to three in each of the transmission modes shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. That is, the number of pieces of transmission data that should have the same content may be any number. In this case, if the data value is equal to or more than a predetermined number (for example, a majority number) among a plurality of data that should have the same content, the data is accepted as correct. On the other hand, if the data indicating the same value does not reach the predetermined number, it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred in command transmission.

Although omitted in the timing charts of FIGS. 4 to 6, the symbol related command signal is transmitted for each communication interrupt request signal as in the conventional example shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the display control device 40. As shown in FIG.

As shown, the display control device 40 comprises:
CPU 41, ROM 41, RAM 43, DMA 44, input interface 45, output interface 46,
It comprises a VDP 47, a font ROM 48 storing image data of the variable display device 4, a clock 59, and the like.

The CPU 41 includes an input interface 45
When a communication interrupt from the game control device 20 is received via the game controller 20, a command signal from the game control device 20 is read, and screen information (variable display data of each symbol, background screen information, moving image Character screen information and the like are created and stored in the RAM 43.

This screen information is transmitted from the VDP 47 to the CPU 4
At the timing of the vertical synchronization interrupt to 1, the data is transferred to the VDP 47 by the DMA 44 that has received the transfer command from the VDP 47. The VDP 47 takes in the corresponding image data in the font ROM 48 based on the image information, and performs a horizontal scan and a vertical scan on the screen of the variable display device 4 to display a predetermined image.

The game control device 20 and the display control device 4
0 is communicated from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40.
Only one-way communication to is possible. This allows
It is possible to prevent a fraudulent act in which an illegal signal is sent from the display control device 40 to the game control device 20, and to facilitate the inspection of the game control device 20 by an inspection organization.

The CPU 41 is provided with timers for detecting occurrence of an abnormal condition regarding left, right, and middle symbol display (a left symbol monitoring timer, a right symbol monitoring timer, and a middle symbol monitoring timer). These timers are updated in synchronization with the clock signal from the clock 49, and monitor the elapsed time from the transmission of the symbol-related command signal. And CPU4
1 indicates that the next symbol-related command signal relating to the same symbol is within a set time (see FIG. 8) stored in advance corresponding to the content designated in the previous symbol-related command signal (see FIG. 3). It is determined whether or not the next symbol-related command signal is within the set range, and it is determined that an abnormal state relating to the symbol display has occurred, and an abnormality handling process is executed (see the flowchart of FIG. 11). ).

In the abnormality handling process, the display control device 40
In the display of the variable display device 4, the process of hiding the display of the symbol in which the abnormal state has occurred, the process of changing the symbol in which the abnormal state has occurred at a high speed, and the process of stopping all the symbols and causing the player to A process of displaying a message notifying the occurrence of a state, a process of deleting a symbol display (or the entire screen display), and then displaying a message notifying a player of the occurrence of an abnormal state, and the like are selectively executed. The details of these abnormality handling processes will be described later in the description of the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the set time of the monitoring timer (the left symbol monitoring timer, the right symbol monitoring timer, and the middle symbol monitoring timer) provided in the CPU 41 of the display control device 40.

As shown in the figure, the set time is set for each data content of the symbol-related command signal. For example, the left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 02H, If the symbol number data is arbitrary), if there is no next transmission of the left symbol-related command signal between the minimum time of 16 milliseconds and the maximum time of 64 milliseconds from the transmission of the left symbol-related command signal, the left symbol is left. It is determined that an abnormal state related to the symbol display has occurred.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of game control in the game control device 20. As described above, the game control of one sequence is executed every reset interrupt signal of a fixed period.

In step S1, a power-on determination process is executed to determine whether or not the reset interrupt signal from the reset signal generation circuit 25 is the first one after power-on, and is the first one after power-on. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S2.

In the initialization processing in step S2, the RAM 2
The processing of storing a predetermined value in the 1B test data area and the processing of initializing the register of the arithmetic processing unit 21 are executed, and the routine ends as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the reset interrupt signal is not the first signal after power-on, the process proceeds to step S3, and a switch reading process is executed. In this switch reading process, various sensors (special symbol start sensor 30, count sensor 31, continuation sensor 32, normal symbol start sensor 33, safe sensor 3
The detection data input from 4) to the port of the input interface 22 is read into the arithmetic processing unit 21 by performing processing such as chattering elimination.

In step S4, port output processing is executed, and various control output data in the buffer of the arithmetic processing unit 21 is output to the port of the output interface 23.

In step S5, an event counter updating process is executed, and the counter value of the event counter provided in the arithmetic processing unit 21 is updated by +1. Here, the event counter refers to steps S6 and S
11, for determining a branch in the time-division processing in step S12, and includes, for example, an octal counter that is circulated and updated in the range of 0 to 7.

Step S6 is time-division processing, and a corresponding processing is selectively executed according to the value of the event counter.

Specifically, when the event counter value is 2, the left symbol-related command port output process of step S6.2 is performed, and when the event counter value is 3, the right symbol-related command port of step S6.3 is processed. When the event counter value is 4, the middle symbol related command port output process in step S6.4 is executed. If the event counter value is 5, step S
The background-related command port output process of 6.5, the character-related command port output process of step S6.6 when the event counter value is 6, and the step S6.7 of step S6.7 when the event counter value is 7. A sound command information port output process is executed. In these command port output processes, data of various command signals edited according to the state of the game (data of left symbol related command signal, data of right symbol related command signal, data of middle symbol related command signal, background related command signal, background related command Signal data, character-related command signal data, sound command information)
Output to port 3 The data output to the port is converted into a communication format and output to various control devices. If the event counter value is 0 or 1, no processing is performed.

In step S7, a switch read information corresponding process is executed. In this switch read information handling process, the winning process of the special symbol start sensor 30, the winning process of the normal symbol start sensor 33, the number of winnings to the big winning opening based on the detection by the count sensor 31 are counted, and the detection by the continuation sensor 32 is performed. A determination is made as to whether or not to continue the round.

In step S8, award ball command information editing processing is executed, and the award ball command information transmitted to the ball ejection control device 60 is edited.

In step S9, first various random number updating processing is executed, and processing such as updating of a special symbol random number counter used for determining a jackpot is executed.

In step S10, the game is in an abnormal state (for example, an abnormal state in which the game switch is not detected by the count switch 31 during a big hit, such as no-count improper operation, which is different from the abnormal state related to the above-described symbol display). A determination is made as to whether a fall has occurred. Then, if the game is not in an abnormal state, the following steps S11 and S12
Are sequentially executed. On the other hand, if the game is in an abnormal state, the time division processing of step S12 is executed without performing the time division processing of step S11.

Step S11 is time-division processing that is not executed when an abnormal state occurs, and processing related to a game for determining awarding of a prize (prize ball) is collectively arranged. Specifically, when the event counter value is 0, the special symbol game progress control processing in step S11.0 is performed. When the event counter value is 1, the special symbol change control processing in step S11.1 is performed. If the value is 2, the normal symbol game progress control processing of step S11.2.
If the event counter value is 3, step S11.3.
Is performed, respectively. In the special symbol game progress control process, a process of determining whether or not there is a prize memory in the starting port 7, a process of monitoring a change stop of the special symbol, a process of determining a jackpot regarding the special symbol, various operations at the time of the jackpot Is performed. In the special symbol change control process, a process of updating a pointer indicating a special symbol to be displayed and the like are executed. In the normal symbol game progress control process and the normal symbol variation control process, processes corresponding to the special symbol game progress control process and the special symbol variation control process are executed for the ordinary symbols. When the event counter value is 4 to 7, no processing is performed.

Step S12 is a time-division process executed even when an abnormal state occurs, and processes irrelevant to a game for determining awarding are collectively arranged. In particular,
If the event counter value is 2, step S12.2.
In the event that the event counter value is 3, the mechanical device output information processing in step S12.3 is performed. When the event counter value is 4, the light emitting device output information editing process in step S12.4 is performed. When the event counter value is 5, various output information synthesizing processes in step S12.5 are executed, and when the event counter value is 7, the sales information editing process in step S12.7 is executed. The data of the various command signals output to the port of the output interface 23 in the time division processing in step S6 is edited in the various output information synthesis processing in S12.5. If the event counter value is 0, 1, or 6, no processing is performed.

Step S21 is a second random number updating process, and the updating process of the various random numbers is repeated over the remaining time until the next reset interrupt signal.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a display control processing procedure for symbol display in the display control device 40.

In step S21, the variable display data is edited for each of the left, right, and middle symbols. As described above, this fluctuation display data is output
The data is transferred to the DP 47, and the VDP 47 performs left, right, and middle symbol display based on the variable display data.

At step S22, it is determined whether or not a command signal has been received from the game control device 20. If it is determined in step S22 that the command signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not the time-up of the monitoring timer for each symbol has been detected. That is, whether the transmission time interval of each symbol related command signal exceeds the upper limit of the set time range (the maximum time in FIG. 8) stored in advance in the display control device CPU 41 is determined by the left symbol monitoring timer, the right symbol, and the right symbol. The determination is made for each of the monitoring timer and the middle symbol monitoring timer. When no time-up of any monitoring timer is detected, the process returns to step S21. On the other hand, when time-up of any monitoring timer is detected,
Proceeding to step S24, it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred in the symbol display corresponding to the monitoring timer for which the time-up has been detected, and an abnormality handling process for the abnormal state is executed, and then the process returns to step S21.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that a command signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S25,
It is determined whether or not the command signal is a left symbol related command signal.

If it is determined in step S25 that the command signal is a left symbol-related command signal, the process proceeds to step S26,
It is determined whether or not the command signal is for instructing to stop the left symbol. And if it is a left symbol stop command,
In step S27, a stop symbol setting process for the left symbol is performed, and in step S28, the variation pattern of the left symbol is changed to a stopped state. Further, in step S29, it is determined whether or not the left symbol is in an abnormal state. If the symbol is in an abnormal state (if the abnormality handling process relating to the left symbol is being executed), the abnormality handling process in the left symbol is canceled in step S30. Then, the process returns to step S21, and if it is not in an abnormal state (unless the abnormality handling process relating to the left symbol has been executed), the process directly returns to step S21.

If it is determined in step S26 that the command is not the command to stop the left symbol, the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether a left symbol monitoring timer abnormality has occurred. That is, it is determined whether or not the left symbol-related command signal has been transmitted at a time interval shorter than the lower limit (the minimum time in FIG. 8) of the set time range stored in advance in the display control device CPU41.

If it is determined in step S31 that an abnormality has occurred in the left symbol monitoring timer, the flow advances to step S24 to determine that an abnormal state has occurred in the left symbol display and execute an abnormality handling process. On the other hand, if no abnormality has occurred in the left symbol monitoring timer, a change process of the left symbol variation pattern is performed in step S32, and the process proceeds to step S3.
At 3, the left symbol monitoring timer is initialized, and the process returns to step S21.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that the command signal is not the left symbol-related command signal, the process proceeds to step S25.
The process proceeds to step S34, where the processes corresponding to the processes of steps S26 to S33 relating to the left symbol are sequentially executed for the right symbol and the middle symbol, and the process returns to step S21.

As described above, the abnormality handling process is executed when the transmission time interval of any one of the symbol-related command signals does not fall within the set time range, and the symbol-related command signal for instructing stop of the symbol is transmitted. Is canceled by.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are charts showing specific examples of the data contents of the symbol-related command signals output from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40 over time. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a change in the display of the variable display device 4 according to a specific example of the symbol-related command signal shown in the charts of FIGS. FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams showing specific displays of the variable display device 4 based on specific examples of the command signals shown in FIGS.

Note that the symbol-related command signal for each elapse of time shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is obtained by switching each variation mode in the timing chart of FIG. 15, displaying each symbol in the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. , A,..., Are responded through hi.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, there are cases where a plurality of symbol-related command signals are transmitted at the same elapsed time, but strictly speaking, these command signals are different. Since the transmission is performed by the module, the transmission timing of each command signal actually has a time lag of at least one sequence of game control (2 milliseconds).

The output module in FIGS. 12 and 13 indicates a module in which a symbol-related command signal transmission process is performed in a time-division process in game control (see flowcharts in FIGS. 9 and 10). If the correspondence with the corresponding processing of the game control is specifically shown, the output module X performs the left symbol-related output processing (step S6.2 in FIG. 9), and the output module Y performs the right symbol-related output processing (step S6.2 in FIG. 9). S6.
3), the output module Z performs the middle symbol related output processing (FIG. 9).
Corresponds to step S6.4).

As shown in FIG. 15A, the variable display device 4
In a state where all the symbols of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol are stopped and displayed, the game control device 20 which detects that there is a special symbol start memory based on the winning in the start port 7 is:
As shown in FIG. 12, at the starting point of the time lapse (time lapse 0), the left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, action selection data =
03H, symbol number data = 3EH), right symbol-related command signal for changing the right symbol variation mode to low speed variation (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 03H, symbol number data =
3EH), and transmits a middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 03H, symbol number data = 3EH) in which the variation pattern of the middle symbol is low-speed fluctuation (symbols a, b, c). . As a result, the left, middle, and right symbols respectively change from the stopped state shown in FIG.
The low-speed scroll fluctuation indicated by a single arrow in FIG.
Is indicated as fluctuation A).

The symbol number data of 3EH in the command signal indicates that the symbol number is not instructed and the previous state can be taken over. When the symbol number is not directly designated as described above, the symbol displayed on the variable display device 4 is controlled to fluctuate on the display control device 40 side, and the game control device 20 manages the time from when the command signal is transmitted. By doing so, the symbols displayed at each time are managed.

At the time when 800 milliseconds have passed since the starting point,
A left symbol-related command signal (the symbol selection data = 01H, the operation selection data = 04H,
Symbol number data = 3EH, right symbol-related command signal with the right symbol variation mode being medium speed variation (symbol selection data = 02)
H, operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = 3E
H), a middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 0) in which the variation mode of the middle symbol is a medium speed variation
4H, symbol number data = 3EH) are transmitted (symbols d, o, f). As a result, the left, middle, and right symbols of the variable display device 4 change from low-speed fluctuation to medium-speed fluctuation (variation B in FIG. 14 and FIG.
5, the scrolling speed is increased to a double arrow in FIG. 16).

At the point of time when 1600 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 05) that makes the variation of the left symbol change at high speed
H, symbol number data = 3EH), right symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 0) which makes the right symbol fluctuate rapidly.
2H, operation selection data = 05H, symbol number data = 3E
H), a middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 0) that makes the variation state of the middle symbol a high-speed variation
5H and symbol number data = 3EH) are transmitted (symbols K, C, K). As a result, the left, middle, and right symbols of the variable display device 4 change from the medium speed fluctuation state to the high speed fluctuation state (variation C in FIG. 14) as shown in FIGS.
15 and FIG. 16, which is indicated by a triple arrow) to perform high-speed scroll fluctuation.

At the point when 6336 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the left symbol-related command signal for replacement (symbol selection data =
01H, operation selection data = 02H, symbol number data = 0
4H) (symbol コ). As a result, FIG.
As shown in (f) to (g), the left symbol is replaced with “4”.

By replacing such display symbol numbers, the reliability of the displayed symbol numbers can be increased. That is, as described above, the symbol numbers displayed on the variable display device 4 are managed so that a predetermined display is performed at a predetermined time based on the passage of time from the starting point. The display control may be disturbed by noise or the like. In such a case, the symbol is returned to the correct symbol number by replacement. In addition, since the left symbol fluctuates at a high speed in the above replacement, even if it is replaced, the player does not visually sense this.

At the point of time when 6400 milliseconds have passed from the starting point, the left symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = 3EH) is transmitted (symbol S). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15 (i), the scroll fluctuation speed of the left symbol is changed to the medium speed fluctuation.

At the point of time when 7200 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, a left symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 06) in which the variation of the left symbol is a swinging operation.
H, symbol number data = 3EH) is transmitted (symbol S).
As a result, the left symbol has the symbol number “7” at the time of transmission shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a swinging motion (movement that appears to swing up and down around the center of the symbol) is started.

As shown in FIG. 13, when 7936 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the replacement right symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 02H,
(Symbol number data = 04H) is transmitted (symbol S). As a result, the right symbol is replaced with “4” as shown in FIGS.

When 8000 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, a right symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = 3EH) is transmitted (symbol C). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15 (m), the scroll fluctuation speed of the right symbol is reduced to the medium speed.

At the point when 8800 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the right symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 06) in which the fluctuation mode of the right symbol is a swing operation.
H, symbol number data = 3EH) is transmitted (symbol S).
As a result, the right symbol has the symbol number “7” at the time of transmission shown in FIG.
The swinging operation is started as shown in FIG.

When 9536 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data =
03H, operation selection data = 02H, symbol number data = 0
CH) (symbol ta). As a result, FIG.
As shown in (p) to (q), the right symbol is replaced with “C”.

At the point of time when 9600 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, a middle symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 03H, symbol number data = 3EH) is transmitted (symbol H). Thus, as shown in FIG. 16 (r), the fluctuation speed of the middle symbol is reduced to a low speed.

At the point of time when 13600 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, a middle symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 08H) is transmitted (symbol x). Thus, the middle symbol temporarily stops as shown in FIG. 16 (t) at the symbol number “3” at the time of transmission shown in FIG. 16 (s).

When 14000 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, a medium symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 07H) is transmitted (symbol te). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16 (u) to (x), the middle symbol
Perform rotation operation. Note that the rotation operation is an operation in which the symbol appears to rotate around the central axis as shown in the figure, and is shown as a fluctuation R in FIG. Then, the symbol numbers displayed in the rotation operation are updated in the display control device 40.

At the point of time when 17600 milliseconds have elapsed from the starting point, the left symbol is stopped at "7". Right symbol related command signal to stop at "7" (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 01H, symbol number data = 07H), medium symbol related command signal to stop medium symbol at "6" (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 01H, symbol number data =
06H) are transmitted respectively (symbols G, C, C). As a result, as shown in FIG.
Is finally stopped at "767".
Since the symbol-related command signal for commanding the "stop operation" includes the symbol number to be stopped and displayed as the symbol number data as described above, the three symbols which are stopped and displayed are surely the desired symbols. It becomes a symbol number.

In the display on the variable display device 4 as described above, as a result of the incorrect transmission of the symbol-related command signal, the time interval of the symbol-related command signal transmission monitored by each symbol monitoring timer of the display control device 40 becomes longer. If the time is not within the set time, the display control device 40 determines that an abnormality related to the symbol display has occurred, and performs display on the variable display device 4 by the abnormality handling process.

FIG. 17 shows specific examples of various display modes in the abnormality handling processing.

In FIG. 17A, in the variable display device 4, the left symbol and the middle symbol are displayed in a medium speed fluctuation state, and the right symbol is displayed by a swinging operation. From this state, if it is determined that an abnormal state related to the left symbol has occurred, the display control device 40 changes the display of the variable display device 4 to one of the modes shown in FIGS. Move to the display of.

In the display for abnormality handling in FIG. 17B, a question mark "?" Is displayed in front of the left symbol in which the abnormal condition has occurred, and the left symbol is hidden. This allows
Since an incorrect symbol is not displayed on the display of the variable display device 4, the player does not have to believe by seeing the incorrect display of the left symbol, and the display of the variable display device 4 is particularly provided to the player. Since this does not make the player feel uncomfortable, the player can continue the game without necessarily recognizing that an abnormality has occurred in the symbol display.

In the abnormal response display of FIG. 17C, the left symbol in which the abnormal condition has occurred is set to the high-speed scroll fluctuating state regardless of the instruction by the left symbol-related command signal. As a result, the symbol number of the left symbol during the high-speed change cannot be visually recognized by the player, so that the player does not misunderstand the progress of the game by seeing the wrong left symbol display. . In addition, since the display of the variable display device 4 in this case is performed in one mode of the normal display, the player can continue the game without particularly recognizing that an abnormality has occurred in the symbol display.

In the display for anomaly handling shown in FIG.
The right and middle three symbols are temporarily stopped, and a message "Please wait" indicating the occurrence of an abnormal condition related to symbol display is displayed in front of these symbols.
(Or “Please continue the game”). As a result, the player can recognize that the displayed symbol is not regular, and can continue the game without misunderstanding the progress of the game.

In the display for abnormality handling in FIG.
The right and middle three symbols (or the entire screen display including the background display and the character display) are once erased, and a message indicating the occurrence of an abnormal state related to the symbol display is displayed on the erased symbol (screen). Please ". As a result, the player can recognize that the displayed symbol is not regular, and can continue the game without misunderstanding the progress of the game.

Such an abnormality handling process is canceled by a stop instruction for a symbol in an abnormal state, and the symbol display is finally returned to the normal display. In this case, as described above, the symbol-related command signal (operation selection data = 01H) for instructing the symbol to stop includes the symbol number data for designating the stop symbol number. Is returned to the symbol number. FIG. 17F shows a state in which the left symbol display returns to the normal display in response to the left symbol stop command, and the display of the variable display device 4 stops at “8A7”.

As described above, according to the present invention, the display control device 40 is unable to independently transmit the symbol-related command signal (identification information-related command signal) based on the data content of the symbol-related command signal and the transmission time interval. Has occurred (i.e., the occurrence of an abnormal state relating to the symbol display), and the abnormality handling process can be immediately performed. Then, in the abnormality handling process, a process in which the symbol in which the abnormality has occurred is not visually recognized by the player (for example, FIG. 17)
(See (B) and (C)) or a process of switching the display to a screen for notifying the player that an abnormal state has occurred in the symbol display (for example, see FIGS. 17 (D) and (E)). Therefore, a state in which an erroneous symbol display (identification information display) is continued as a normal display on the variable display device 4 is quickly avoided on the display control device 40 side, and the player can change the progress of the game based on the erroneous display. Misunderstandings can be eliminated, and the game can be continued without interruption.

The monitoring of the occurrence of an abnormal state regarding such symbol display is performed for each of the left, right, and middle symbols (each identification information displayed in each display area of the variable display device 4). In the abnormality handling process, a pattern in which no abnormality has occurred can be displayed as it is, so as not to reduce the interest of the player (FIG. 17B,
(See the embodiment of (C)).

The abnormal response processing is canceled by transmitting a symbol-related command signal for instructing to stop the symbol, and the symbol-related command signal includes an instruction relating to a stopped symbol. The symbol in which the abnormality has occurred is also returned to the normal symbol display, and the normal stopped symbol display is performed. Therefore, the time required for the display by the abnormality handling process can be minimized, and finally, a correct game result can be notified to the player without interrupting the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a table showing data contents of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the display control device.

FIG. 8 is a table showing a set time of a monitoring timer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of game control.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of game control.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a display control processing procedure for symbol display.

FIG. 12 is a chart showing an example of transmission of a symbol-related command signal with the passage of time.

FIG. 13 is a chart showing an example of transmission of a symbol-related command signal with the passage of time.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing an example of a change in the display mode of each symbol with respect to the transmission of the symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display fluctuation in the variable display device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display fluctuation in the variable display device.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on the variable display device in the abnormality handling process.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Variable display device 20 Game control device 40 Display control device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game control device for controlling a game in general, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and the variable display based on a command signal from the game control device. A display control device that controls display on the device; a communication unit that allows only one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device; and the display area as a command signal for instructing a change in a variation mode of the identification information. Signal selection means capable of selecting a separate identification information-related command signal for each of the following. The identification information-related command signal selected by the signal selection means is used to determine the change of the variation mode of the identification information in the corresponding display area of the variable display device. A timing adjusting means for causing the communication means to transmit at a timing, wherein the display control of the identification information related command signal for each display area is performed. Time measuring means for measuring a transmission time interval to the control device; and determining whether or not the transmission time interval measured by the time measuring means is within a set time range stored in advance for each display area. Means for determining that a transmission time interval of the symbol-related command signal is not within the set time range by the determination means and determining that an abnormal state related to the display of identification information has occurred, and performing abnormality response processing; A gaming machine comprising: 2. The game according to claim 1, wherein said abnormality handling means is means for making identification information of a display area in which an abnormal state relating to display of identification information has occurred in a state in which it cannot be identified by a player. Machine. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the abnormality handling means is means for performing a display for covering the identification information of a display area in which an abnormal state relating to the identification information display has occurred. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said abnormality responding means is means for varying identification information of a display area in which an abnormal state relating to identification information display has occurred at a speed that cannot be identified by a player. Gaming machine. 5. The variable response device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality handling means displays on the variable display device a display notifying a player that an abnormal state relating to identification information display has occurred. A gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The abnormality handling means terminates the abnormality handling process upon receipt of an identification information-related command signal instructing stop display of identification information in a display area in which an abnormal state related to identification information display has occurred, 6. The identification information-related command signal for instructing stop display of the identification information includes an instruction on the identification information to be stopped and displayed. Gaming machine. 7. A game control device for comprehensively controlling a game, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and the variable display based on a command signal from the game control device. A display control device that controls display on the device; a communication unit that allows only one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device; and the display area as a command signal for instructing a change in a variation mode of the identification information. Signal selection means capable of selecting a separate identification information-related command signal for each of the following. The identification information-related command signal selected by the signal selection means is used to determine the change of the variation mode of the identification information in the corresponding display area of the variable display device. A timing adjusting means for causing the communication means to transmit at a timing; and Receiving means for performing a plurality of receptions of data which should have the same content of the identification information-related command signal, and, when there is a predetermined number or more of data having the same content received by the receiving means, A gaming machine comprising: signal data determination means for accepting the same value as regular data. 8. The signal data judging means accepts the same value as regular data when data indicating the same value exceeds the majority of the total number of data to be received having the same content. The gaming machine according to claim 7.